Washington and Tehran can step back – if they want to

Dispatches Jan 28, 2026

The expert conversation: Should Trump strike Iran? What happens next if he does?

By Jason M. Brodsky and Danny Citrinowicz

As the USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in the Middle East, two experts debate the opportunities, uncertainties, and risks of a US strike on Iran.
Iran Middle East
Washington and Tehran can step back – if they want to

Dispatches Jan 23, 2026

What Trump could do next in Iran

By Nate Swanson

As a US carrier strike group nears the Persian Gulf, what options does US President Donald Trump have to strike against the Iranian regime?
Iran Middle East
Washington and Tehran can step back – if they want to

MENASource Jan 14, 2026

Voices from Iran: As rejection of government reaches all-time high, Iranians also wary of foreign intervention

By Tara Kangarlou

If Trump is serious about peace, stability, and a lasting legacy, the path forward does not run through air strikes or transactional deals with a failing theocracy.
Civil Society Crisis Management

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Content

New Atlanticist

Jan 8, 2020

Washington and Tehran can step back – if they want to

By William F. Wechsler

After the January 8 Iranian missile attacks on Iraq, a successful tactical de-escalation requires both that the Iranian leadership intends for its military actions not to be escalatory and that the Trump administration perceives those actions as they were intended. In the absence of direct communications between the United States and Iran, however, the potential for misunderstanding and thus the risk of miscalculation remains high.

Conflict Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Jan 7, 2020

Carpenter speaks to BBC World News on strike against Soleimani

By Atlantic Council

Conflict English

New Atlanticist

Jan 7, 2020

US-Iran in crisis: Strategic ambiguity and loud weapons in cyberspace

By Simon Handler, Katherine Wolff, Will Loomis

Iran’s government will feel the need to retaliate against the United States, but it does not wish to ignite a prolonged war with the United States. The regime’s near-term aim is to demonstrate to its domestic and regional constituencies that it has the capability and the resolve to avenge Soleimani’s killing and, more strategically, to drum up support for hardliners ahead of legislative elections next month. While Iran has a number of options available, its cyber toolkit not one to be overlooked.

Cybersecurity Iran

In the News

Jan 7, 2020

Wechsler quoted in Bloomberg on Iran’s retaliation against US in Iraq

By Atlantic Council

Iran Iraq

IranSource

Jan 7, 2020

Hope for the Iran nuclear deal is not completely lost

By Kelsey Davenport

Iran’s fifth violation of the JCPOA is serious, but not necessarily a death blow to the nuclear deal. If Tehran acts with restraint and refrains from restarting particularly troublesome nuclear activities, there may be a narrow window for the P4+1 to preserve the deal.

Iran Nuclear Nonproliferation

In the News

Jan 6, 2020

Slavin joins EuroNews to discuss US-Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

IranSource

Jan 6, 2020

Will the Soleimani assassination lead to all-out war between the United States and Iran?

By Shahir Shahidsaless

Iran may feel that a limited confrontation with the United States can both maintain its face and, if it is carefully crafted, can lead to the retreat of Trump.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 6, 2020

Pfaff quoted in the Wall Street Journal, with bases throughout the Middle East US will still be able to maintain posture to Iran

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 6, 2020

Dagres in the Independent, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will not collapse after Soleimani’s death

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran

In the News

Jan 6, 2020

Dagres quoted in Newsweek, Iran’s response will be calculated

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Carmiel Arbit

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Colin Brooks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Iran Middle East

Fellow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Jonathan Fulton

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

China Chinese
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Events

Online Event Tue, March 3, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Holding enablers accountable: The Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in Russia’s drone war
Civil Society Conflict Crisis Management Iran